Latest news with #RomanCatholics
IOL News
6 days ago
- General
- IOL News
The Hangout: Papa was a Rollin Stone
Father's Day in the U.S. (and here at home) rolls around every third Sunday in June—a time to high-five dads everywhere and say, 'Thanks for everything!' But have you ever wondered how this day came about? Well, grab your time machine, because we're heading back to ancient Babylon—yes, over 4,000 years ago. There, a son named Elmesu carved a heartfelt message to his dad on a clay tablet, wishing him a long and happy life. Fast-forward to the early 1900s in the U.S., and we meet the real MVP of Father's Day: Sonora Smart Dodd. Sonora, from Spokane, Washington, had a pretty amazing dad—William Jackson Smart, a Civil War veteran who raised six kids all on his own after his wife sadly passed away during childbirth. One Sunday in 1909, while sitting through a Mother's Day sermon, Sonora had the very brightest idea: 'Hey, shouldn't fathers get some love too?' And just like that, the spark for Father's Day was lit. Despite a few chuckles and skeptics, Sonora was determined. She rallied local churches and the YMCA, and on June 19, 1910, Spokane celebrated the very first Father's Day. Sonora had hoped it would land on her dad's birthday, but they went with the third Sunday in June—and the tradition stuck! Presidents took notice too. Calvin Coolidge gave a thumbs-up in 1924, Lyndon B. Johnson made it official with a proclamation in 1966, and in 1972, President Richard Nixon signed it into law. While it began as a heartfelt, faith-rooted occasion, today Father's Day comes with cards, braais, socks, maybe some vinyl, and of course '#1 Dad' mugs. Some people wear red roses to honor living dads or white ones in memory of those who've passed. And let's not forget all the other father figures—granddads, uncles, stepdads—who get celebrated too. Fun fact: Roman Catholics also honor dads on March 19, the feast day of St. Joseph, Jesus's earthly father. So whether you're calling your dad, remembering him or just soaking in some dad jokes, now you know the touching story behind the day. Happy Father's Day to all the heroes in dad-mode out there! Here are a few ideas if you wanna take dad out on the town. *If your dad still rocks his band tees, has opinions about real punk, and maybe even taught you how to ollie, then Punk is Dad is where you need to be this Father's Day! Grab your old man, your skateboards, and your rebellious spirit and head over for a wild celebration of fatherhood, youth, skate culture, and pure punk rock energy. Expect a killer lineup featuring Half Price from Cape Town (don't miss their last Joburg show until 2027!), The Non-Fiction from Durban, plus local legends Lefokolodi, Aura Electric, and The Dookies. There'll be band merch, an open skate sesh to shred it out, and even a dads-only circle pit competition that's gonna be as chaotic as it is heartwarming. Tickets range from R80–R120 on Quicket and it's an all-ages gig—kids under 12 get in free (as long as they bring a grown-up). It's the perfect place to show your punk dad some loud love and make this Father's Day one for the books! Catch this action at 011 Skatepark, 420 Homestead Road, Edenvale. * Hailing from Pretoria, Georgetown is a toe-tapping, heartwarming, multi-instrumental Blue Billy Folk Pop band that's been making waves since 2014. Made up of the wildly talented Michael de Villiers, Renaldo van Dyk, Rynier Prins, and Tiaan Erasmus, these four musical storytellers have taken their unique sound to stages, theatres, and towns far and wide. Blending the soulful roots of Southern Africa with classic folk and pop vibes, Georgetown creates a one-of-a-kind musical journey. Their secret sauce? An eclectic mix of instruments—think acoustic guitar, upright bass, piano, mandolin, harmonica, clarinet, saxophone, a washboard, and a 1935 suitcase (yes, really). They're one of my favourite bands to watch live and the perfect band to take dad to watch on Daddy's Day. Listen out for their magic rendition of a classic ELO tune! It's brilliant. They're live at The Troyeville Hotel in Joburg on Sunday 15 June. The show starts at 2pm but go through at midday for a delish lunch. More info and tickets at * Treat dad to making memories that last with a full day of nostalgia, horsepower, and timeless charm at the Annual Vintage Car & Bike Show and Vintage Décor & Gift Market! Happening on 16 June at Irene Village Mall, this all-day celebration is the ultimate outing for dads, families, and vintage lovers alike. Explore a stunning lineup of classic cars and bikes, browse South Africa's biggest vintage and collectables market, and soak up the lively vibes with tasty food, live music, retro fashion, and family-friendly fun. Whether you're snapping photies, hunting for hidden treasures, or just enjoying a fun day out, it's the perfect way to celebrate Dad in unforgettable style.
Miami Herald
23-05-2025
- Politics
- Miami Herald
Should parents opt kids out of class over religious objections? What poll finds
Most Americans — including majorities across all religious groups — said they think parents should be allowed to take their children out of classes that conflict with their religious beliefs, a poll found. Seventy percent of respondents said parents should be able to opt their kids out of reading classes that have stories about LGBTQ+ characters if it goes against their religion, according to a May 22 Marquette Law School poll. Parents with school age children were slightly more likely to favor the option to take their kids out than those without children, 72% to 69%, respectively, per the poll. The results come after U.S. Supreme Court justices heard oral arguments April 22 in a case on whether public schools impede on religious practices by teaching elementary school students about issues of gender and sexuality without first notifying parents. The court seemed poised to rule in favor of Maryland parents of different religious backgrounds that hope to have more control over if and how their children are taught about these issues that some said conflict with their religious beliefs, NBC News and Reuters reported. The survey of 1,004 U.S. adults was conducted May 5-15 and has a margin of error of plus or minus 3.6 percentage points, researchers said. Majorities across five religious groups — born-again Protestants, mainline Protestants, Roman Catholics, people with no religion and people of other religions — said parents should be able to take their kids out of school if teaching materials clash with their religious beliefs, the poll found. Born-again Protestants and Roman Catholics had the highest majorities, 87% and 72%, who agreed according to the poll. Forty-two percent of people with no religion, 34% of mainline Protestants and 33% of people of other religions said schools should set the curriculum for all students, rather than letting parents opt their kids out of certain lessons, the poll found. Those who attend religious services more than once a week also showed much higher support for taking their kids out of class when it conflicts with their religion than those who never attend, 91% compared to 61%, per the poll.
Yahoo
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Yahoo
JD Vance gives football jersey to Pope and invites him to White House
JD Vance gave the newly anointed Pope Leo XIV a custom Chicago Bears jersey and a letter inviting him to the White House from Donald Trump. The jersey from the professional NFL football team has 'Pope Leo' and the number XIV written on the back. It was given to the pontiff in addition to two seminal works by St Augustine in an early morning meeting between the Holy See and the visiting US delegation of Mr Vance and Marco Rubio, the secretary of state, both of whom are Roman Catholics. 'As you can probably imagine, people in the United States are extremely excited about you,' Mr Vance told the Pope as they exchanged gifts. Upon handing the first American pope a letter from Mr Trump and the first lady inviting him to the White House, the pontiff could be heard saying 'at some point' in Vatican video footage, with Mr Vance replying, 'of course'. The Chicago-born Pope already has a jersey and a hat from his home town White Sox baseball team, who sent it to him after his election earlier this month when it emerged he was a fan. 'Our Chicago friends are ecstatic,' one visiting American tourist told The Telegraph, jokingly referring to him as 'the White Sox pope'. For his part, Pope Leo gave Mr Vance a bronze sculpture with the Italian phrase 'Peace is a fragile flower' and a coffee table book of the palace where they were meeting. 'There was an exchange of views on some current international issues, calling for respect for humanitarian law and international law in areas of conflict and for a negotiated solution between the parties involved,' noted the Holy See press office. The White House said Mr Vance 'discussed religious freedom, the persecution of Christians around the world, and the shared commitment of President Trump and Pope Leo XIV to stop the killing in Ukraine and the Middle East'. According to a photo released by the Vatican, Leo's brother, Louis Prevost, a self-described 'Maga-type,' and his wife, Deborah, joined the delegation during the visit.
New York Post
17-05-2025
- Politics
- New York Post
Pope Leo XIV to lead inaugural mass Sunday — with tens of thousands expected to attend
Newly elected Pope Leo XIV will lead his inaugural mass Sunday — with tens of thousands expected to bear witness to the occasion, including Vice President JD Vance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky. The mass, which will get underway at 4 a.m. New York time, 10 a.m. local, in St. Peter's Basilica and Square in Vatican City, will formally install the first pontiff from the United States as the leader of the world's 1.4 billion Roman Catholics. During the liturgy, the pope is set to be presented with a new 'Ring of the Fisherman' — a gold signet ring designed specially for a newly elected pontiff, the Vatican Press Office said. Newly elected Pope Leo XIV, the first ever American pontiff, will lead his inaugural mass Sunday. AP He will also be draped in a new ceremonial-type garment known as a Petrine Pallium, which is meant to signify him carrying the responsibility of shepherding the entire church on his shoulders. Tens of thousands are expected to flock to Vatican City for the grand occasion, while scores of world leaders are slated to be inside the Basilica for the mass. Vice President Vance will lead the US delegation, which will also include Secretary of State Marco Rubio, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-Louisiana, and a host of other members of Congress. Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky, who infamously clashed with Vance during their White House sit-down in February, is expected to be among the notable world leaders in attendance. A Zelensky aide said earlier this week the Ukrainian president would be happy to meet other leaders on the sidelines of the mass after Pope Leo vowed to personally make 'every effort' to help end the Russia-Ukraine war. Zelensky, for his part, held face-to-face talks with President Trump in St. Peter's Basilica when they both attended Pope Francis' funeral last month. Rubio on Saturday signaled the Vatican could be a venue for peace talks. Speaking to reporters in Rome before sitting down with Cardinal Matteo Zuppi, the Vatican point man for Ukraine, Rubio said he wanted to find potential ways the Vatican could help with a 'path forward.' Asked if the Vatican could be a peace broker, Rubio responded: 'I wouldn't call it broker, but it's certainly — I think it's a place that both sides would be comfortable going.' 'So we'll talk about all of that and obviously always grateful to the Vatican for their willingness to play this constructive and positive role,' he added. Among other leaders expected on Sunday are the presidents of Israel, Peru and Nigeria, the prime ministers of Italy, Canada and Australia, German Chancellor Friedrich Merz and European Commission President Ursula Von der Layen. Many European royals will also be present, including Spain's King Felipe and Queen Letizia. Russia will be represented by Culture Minister Olga Lyubimova, the Vatican said. With Post wires
Edinburgh Reporter
17-05-2025
- General
- Edinburgh Reporter
The General Assembly opens in Edinburgh
The General Assembly 2025 opened in Edinburgh at the Assembly Hall on The Mound on Saturday and will continue until Thursday. The Rt Hon Lady Elish Angiolini LT, DBE, PC, KC, FRSE, represented His Majesty King Charges at the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland on Saturday. Lady Angiolini said that people are the creation of God and all require 'love, forgiveness and support' in all their imperfection. She said she was profoundly honoured to be chosen as the first practising Roman Catholic to be Lord High Commissioner at the annual gathering which began in Edinburgh today. Lady Elish's appointment was only made possible after both Houses of Parliament in London changed a law dating back to 1689 that barred Roman Catholics from holding the role. Addressing the General Assembly, she said: 'I am so pleased to be here with you all and particularly pleased I actually made it here. 'I would like to express my sincere thanks to everyone who helped secure my presence here today.' Her Grace said she believed that prejudice and sectarianism can be overcome by the recognition that we are 'all Jock Tamson's bairns'. Lady Elish said she was 11 when she remembered how that 'essential love of humanity' manifested in January 1971 when there was a crush among the crowd at an Old Firm football game at Ibrox, which caused 66 deaths and more than 200 injuries. Her father and neighbours went to the aid of people caught up in the tragedy. Lady Elish said: 'I, in turn, was on the receiving end of such compassion when I was a victim in the front carriage of the train when the Polmont rail disaster occurred in 1984 'Again, it was the kindness of complete strangers, other passengers, that I recollect to this day, as I lay trapped in the wreckage, comforted by their love and compassion as they teased me about how hopeless Celtic was to distract me from the horror of the situation we were in.' Read all of the reports and documents for the General Assembly 2025 here. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. Pictured with at left First Minister for Scotland, John Swinney. Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. First Minister John Swinney and the Rt Hon Lord Provost Robert Aldridge left watch on as Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini is Lord High Commissioner representing the King during the Assembly week. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day One. Moderator Rt Reverend Rosie Frew is installed as Moderator in a ceremony at New College, Edinburgh. General Assembly of the Church of Scotland 2025: Day one. Pictured left Her Grace Lady Elish Angiolini. Like this: Like Related
